House on disputed land demolished amid noisy protest<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A house on a disputed plot in the Kebon Kacang
\nsubdistrict was finally torn down amid noisy protests, despite a
\ncall by the mayor to halt the demolition pending an agreement on
\nland compensation.<\/p>\n
Earlier construction workers, after hearing an elderly woman's
\ndefense of her property, had delayed executing the demolition
\norder for 40 minutes.<\/p>\n
At least one of the 18 University of Indonesia students who
\nwent to support the residents was injured in a clash with
\ndemolition officers during the six hours of suspense, which began
\nat 9 a.m.<\/p>\n
Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi had said the residents and
\nthe private developer, PT Asia Troika, must first reach an
\nagreement on land compensation.<\/p>\n
The demolition squad from the mayoralty could not show
\nresidents a written order. This led to more tension. Neither
\ncould the squad say how many homes they had been told to demolish
\non the 2,300-square-meter disputed plot.<\/p>\n
Yesterday afternoon legislators H.M. Mansur and H.A. Chozin
\nChumaidy from the United Development Party faction arrived at the
\nsite in the Tanah Abang district.<\/p>\n
The legislators hoped to pacify residents as well as to
\nrequest a halt to the demolition.<\/p>\n
Harris Harahap, who led the squad, refused to say much to
\neither legislator.<\/p>\n
\"I'm only fulfilling my duty and you may address your concern
\nto the mayor,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Violation<\/p>\n
The legislators and residents believe the mayor has violated a
\npresidential decree which stipulates that the government will not
\ninterfere in land disputes involving private parties.<\/p>\n
Abdul, however, has said the land will be used for public
\nfacilities.<\/p>\n
The disputed plot comprises a residential area housing 19
\nfamilies and a mosque, in a prime city site. Councilors said a
\nfive-star-rated hotel and an apartment block will be built on the
\nsite.<\/p>\n
Councilors had also earlier asked the mayor to at least
\npostpone the demolition.<\/p>\n
Along with two other residents, the legislators then headed
\nfor the mayor's office to discuss the dispute.<\/p>\n
According to Mansur, after the closed meeting, the mayor said
\nthat no demolition would be conducted before a price settlement
\nis reached.<\/p>\n
Officers on the site, however, remained defiant when told
\nabout the mayor's latest directive.<\/p>\n
A senior official who seemed to have yielded slightly to the
\nresidents' demands said that he apparently misunderstood the
\nnature of the order.<\/p>\n
\"I thought we were demolishing and confiscating this plot of
\nland for the government,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The residents are demanding Rp 3,750,000 (US$1,594.39) per
\nsquare meter of uncertified land, and Rp 4,750,000 per square
\nmeter of certified land.<\/p>\n
The developer's offer is Rp 2,25 million per square meter for
\nuncertified land and Rp 2,5 million per square meter for
\ncertified land. (14)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-on-disputed-land-demolished-amid-noisy-protest-1447893297",
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